Houston Car Wreck Attorney Discusses Older Drivers and Car Wrecks

As Baby Boomers grow older, many Americans fear that the number of car accidents involving older drivers will likewise rise. These people are worried for good reason. Accidents involving older drivers present several unique challenges.

With medical advances, many seniors are able to remain active far longer than seniors of previous generations. These seniors often want to maintain their freedom and independence by hanging onto the right to drive. The concern, of course, is that a driver’s body and skills may decline with age. Vision, hearing, reflexes, and even a person’s cognitive abilities decline with age. These declines may lead an older driver to make serious mistakes while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, it may be difficult for a physician to assess exactly when a senior driver should stop driving. Family members often struggle with the decision to take away a senior’s car keys. Doing so may alienate a loved one, but, at the same time, no one wants a loved one to be responsible for causing a serious accident.

But even if an older driver is not at fault in an accident, the accident may still adversely impact the senior. A senior may be more likely to suffer serious or fatal injuries. A senior may also face a much longer recovery process, made worse by other medical complications. Sometimes, an older adult never fully recovers and must cope with a reduced quality of life.